The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-06-09
TRAVELLING WITH THEIR GAME.
Bunco Swindlers Fleeing Pennsylva
MIA Farmers at Their Own Doors.
From the NeiC York S,


HARRISBURG, June 4.-Instead of wait
ing, in the old way, to pick up in the cities
stray victims from the rural districts,
number of expert bunco swindlers have
adopted the bold tactics of entering the ru-
raj districts themselves and selecting their
victims directly from the farms. Three of
these shaIpers are now working Pennsylva-
MIA counties, and, according to the returns
thus far received, they have succeeded in
pocketing no less than $4,000 in two or
three counties within the past ten days.
Their method of working is the same in
every case. They obtain information as to
farmers who have farms to sell, and who
can readily command snug sums of ready
money, and then proceed according to the
following instance:
John hummell is a rich farmer living in
Snyder county, across the river from Sun
bury. He had advertised a farm for sale
Last week he received letter signed by c.
H. Baxter, M. D., who wanted to buy a
farm, and who made an engagement by
letter to call and see Hummelrs property
A couple of days later two well-dressed,
notwithstanding men drove up to Hum
mellS farm house. One of them introduced
himself to the farmer as his correspondent,
DR.. Baxter, and then presented his com
panion as w. H. Morton, Esq. his lawyer
Hummell showed the visitor over the farm. It
was entirely satisfactory, and the three
leaned over the farmers front fence TRYING
to come to satisfactory terms for the pur-
chase of the property. As they were talk
ing, another well-dressed stranger drove up
and stopped He told Farmer Hummer
that he was contracting for the use of barn
doors and fences TO paint advertisements ON,
and after talking with him awhile, the third
stranger produced II small satchel Olnuing
| it he displayed a number OF envelopes,
which he said contained prizes ranging from
s. to 5000, and if any of the party de
sired To take their chances on making a lit
tie fortune, the investment of 81 would give
the chance.
This scheme seemed to interest DR. Bax-
ter's lawyer, Mr.. Morton, and, after several
inquiries as to the modus operandi of the
drawing he paid s. for a chance. He drew
and drew a blank. He invested another -,
however, and drew $40. Another -
brought him $50. By this time Farmer
Hummell was interested. He put in So and
drew S. His next draw was blank. but,
directed by Lawyer Morton, he bought an
other chance and an envelope marked
'$6, 900, Conditionally.r The man III the
wagon explained that the conditions were
that the drawer of the prize must pay over
TO the owner of the game $1,000 and then
receive the $1,000. Dr.. Baxter and Lawyer
Morton warmly congratulated Farmer Huh
fu I'LL the conditions. He said he could do
that easy enough if he had couple of hours
time.
The man in the wagon said it was usually
spot casil with him, but as he would like to
have the farmers influence in the vicinity
in getting him advertising privileges, which
were worth great deal of money TO him,
he would give him two hours time The
farmer went To Sunbury and drew 5000
frofn his deposit in the bank there. He hur-
iied back home, and counted out TO the man
i'll the wagon thirty 500 bills. The man
coolly folded the money, put it in his pocket.
and giving his horse a cut with the whip,
dashed away, ana before the farmer re-
covered from mis- establishment was out
OF sight. Dr. Baxter and Lawyer Morton
were profuse in their sympathy, and telling
the farmer they would cali again and render
him all the assistance they could in captur-
ing the inpudeut thief, they drove away in
an opposite direction from that taken by the
man with the money That was the last
seen or heard of the three sharpers. Hum
mel was formerly Fish Commissioner of
the State, and he boasts that he spends no
money for newspapers.
In a similar manner the same persons, &C
cording TO the description, robbed Emanuel
Devinney, of York county, of $1,000, VIM.
Lightfoot, of Cumberland county, Of S., coo,
and Samuel Gum, of Adams, Of $1,000.